Jan 27, 2026
Argentina Corn Estimate Lowered 2.0 mt to 54.0 Million
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Rainfall over the weekend favored La Pampa, western Buenos Aires, and southern Cordoba with most of central and eastern Argentina remaining dry. Rainfall this week should favor Cordoba with below normal rainfall elsewhere in Argentina.
The corn estimate was lowered due to persistent hot and dry weather in parts of Argentina during the critical reproductive period for early planted corn. The production estimate could continue moving lower in the weeks ahead if the current dry pattern persists. Late-planted corn is mainly in vegetative development and could still do OK if rain is forthcoming.
Corn in Argentina was 93.1% planted as of late last week. The main area left to plant is far northern Argentina where corn is 48-50% planted. Wet conditions continue to delay corn planting in far northern Argentina.
Hot and dry weather in parts of Argentina, especially Cordoba, is taking a toll on the early planted corn. Farmers started the season optimistic due to the abundant winter rains and good soil moisture, but summer rains have been disappointing.
Below is a picture of abandoned early-planted corn in the city of Jovita in southern Cordoba (about where Cordoba, Santa Fe, and Buenos Aires meet). Rainfall on this farm in November-December-January totaled 108 mm (4.3 inches) compared to 270 mm (10.8 inches) during the same period last year. The growing season started off with abundant moisture and high hopes, but those hopes quickly faded under hot and dry conditions. Some farmers in the area harvested the corn for forage instead of grain.
Later planted corn is still in vegetative development and could still do OK if rainfall quickly returned to the area. The forecast is calling for some rain, but probably not enough to completely rectify the situation.
Early planted corn impacted by drought in the city of Jovita in southern Cordoba. Photo courtesy of Info Campo.
Corn in Argentina was rated 11% poor, 37% fair, and 52% good/excellent as of late last week. The good/excellent percentage is down 12% from the prior week. Soil moisture for corn is rated 46% short, 52% favorable/optimum, and 2% surplus. The favorable/optimum percentage is down 15% from the prior week. Below is the corn rating in Argentina for January 21, 2026 from the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange.
2025/26 Argentina Corn Ratings*
| Condition | Soil Moisture | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor/V. Poor % | Good/Excellent % | Short/V Short | Favorable/Optimum | |
| Dec. 17, 2025 | 1 (0) | 88 (38) | 7 (11) | 93 (87) |
| Dec. 23, 2025 | 1 (0) | 87 (38) | 3 (13) | 96 (87) |
| Dec. 30, 2025 | 0 (5) | 82 (36) | 8 (6) | 92 (93) |
| Jan. 7, 2026 | 1 (3) | 75 (46) | 28 (5) | 72 (92) |
| Jan. 14, 2026 | 5 (6) | 64 (41) | 33 (11) | 67 (87) |
| Jan. 21, 2026 | 11 (6) | 52 (40) | 46 (11) | 52 (87) |
*Source: Buenos Aires Grain Exchange – Crop Condition & Development Stages